15 October 2014: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) launched the 1-15 October issue of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report highlighting the Reverse Logistics Plan (RLP) of the State of Parana, Brazil. The RLP defines operations related to the reuse of products and materials, provides an overview of the timber sector in the State and details how residues can be utilized. The Report also notes that Indonesia’s forest certification system has been endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), while the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) will consider developing a producer legislation database.

Other headlines include a report on the introduction of a goods and services tax (GST) and the elimination of petroleum subsidies in Malaysia that may have a negative impact on the timber sector, though the report notes that this may be off-set by increased support for small and medium enterprises. Also in Asia, Japan is increasing log exports, and China’s furniture exports have fallen.

The TTM Report suggests that there may be an opportunity for plywood producers in India to secure raw material through the establishment of plants in Myanmar and Malaysia, while in Guyana, a wood pellet plant is planned to produce renewable energy.

In addition to the headline stories, the report contains tropical timber market reports from Brazil, China, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar and Peru. The report further recounts regional tropical timber market statistics from Central and West Africa, Europe and North America.

The TTM is published through the ITTO Market Information Service (MIS). [Publication: Tropical Timber Market Report – Volume 18, Number 19]